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If you're looking for some useful devices to put on to your home or office network you might want to start with D-Link's DCS-2000 Internet camera. It comes network ready and is easy to install as long as you understand networking fundamentals. The Internet Camera can be placed anywhere there is a network connection and a power outlet. It can be used for remote video monitoring applications such as day care, home medical care, security and just simply acting as a webcam. The amazing thing about this device is that it comes with features that higher end video monitoring cameras have and then some. But the main difference between this camera and the others is cost. D-Link has priced the DCS-2000 for the mass consumer market

The key feature to any camera is image or video quality. The DCS-2000 provides exceptional quality streaming video at 320 x 240 resolution. It captures images with a 1/3 inch color CMOS sensor and transfers the images with MPEG4 short header compression and motion JPEG CODEC. The frame rate of the video is adjustable and can stream up to 30 frames per second. The camera allows users to adjust other setting such as contrast, brightness, saturation, hue, connection speed and white contrast to achieve optimal viewing quality.

Unlike other WebCams that require a PC, the DCS-2000 is a standalone device that has a built-in web server to deliver video across the net. The camera connnects to the network through a 10/100 Mbps Ethernet port. The camera also has a web based management console to adjust configuration settings. This functionality is password protected to only certain users to administrate the camera. Authentication can also be enabled for viewing video.

Along with the video capabilities the camera has a microphone to capture audio at up to 24 kbps. This allows you to see and hear all the action remotely. In addition, the camera has features that have been in previous D-Link cameras such as a scheduler to set the camera to take pictures at specified intervals, digital I/O interface to connect infrared, motion or magnetic sensors, and finally email notification to email pictures on triggered events. The video is timestamped, which works well in security applications. The camera has the capability to synchronize its time with network time servers which gives it an accurate time setting.

Along with all these features D-Link has included surveillance software to allow the recording of streaming video. The software provides a view of up to sixteen cameras on one screen and supports manual or scheduled video recording. Motion detection can also trigger video recording.

Pricing and Availability

The D-Link DCS-2000 is available online or at retail outlets for a suggested price of $299.

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D-Link DCS-2000 Internet Camera